Melindo TKOs Esquer in seven Villanueva, Macahilig also destroy foes as Phl completes 5-0 sweep

CEBU, Philippines - Milan "El Metodico" Melindo scored a methodical seventh round TKO win over his comical Mexican challenger Juan "Panterita" Esquer to retain his WBO Intercontinental flyweight title and cap a clean 5-0 sweep by the Philippines in last Saturday night's "Pinoy Pride XI" at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront – Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

From the opening bell, a very composed and tactical Melindo baffled Esquer with his sharp jabs, rapid-fire punches and beautiful counter-punching skills to the delight of the huge crowd.

The ALA Boxing Gym fighter continued his relentless offensive in rounds three and four where he rocked Esquer with solid combinations and an assortment of punches to the head and body, but the sturdy Mexican weathered the ordeal.

In the fifth round, Melindo landed a low blow that sent Esquer crashing into canvass. Esquer laid flat on the mat and appeared to be grimacing in pain, but it was obvious that his real intent was to consume the five-minute rest period so he could refill his oxygen tank.

Esquer tried to get up several times only to fall back down, drawing jeers from disgruntled fans. As the match resumed, Melindo kept on pressing the attack, while leaving no room for Esquer to retaliate.

The anticlimactic end of the abbreviated bout came in the seventh round when moments after Esquer hit Melindo with a shot below the belt, it was the Mexican who suddenly fell to the floor.

In that instance, Esquer's cornerman went to the apron and waved off the bout, prompting referee Danrex Tapdasan to swiftly call for a halt at the 2:16 mark of round seven.

"I'm happy that I won, but I'm not really satisfied with my performance," said Melindo, who improved his unbeaten record to 26-0 now spiked with 10KOs. Esquer slipped to 27-10-2 (21KOs). "I could have done better had the fight lasted longer and I could have knocked him out because I sensed he's already wearing down."

Melindo-Viloria in the offing?

The victory formally installed Melindo as the top contender in the WBO flyweight division currently ruled by Fil-Am champion Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria, but ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer said they are still looking for at least one or two more fights for his ward before setting him up for a world title shot.

"The plan right now is to bring Melindo to the United States. We're looking for a top 10 contender in his next fight for him to get that mandatory status," said Aldeguer.

This early though, Aldeguer bared that they already discussed with Bob Arum of Top Rank. Inc. and Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions to co-promote a possible Viloria-Melindo showdown.

"Of course, we don't want that to happen because they're both Filipinos but if they will accept the challenge, then we'll go for it," said Aldeguer.

For Melindo, a world championship match is just around the corner but he gamely admitted that he must patient enough to wait for its right time to come.

"I know my dream of fighting for a world title will just come at the right time," said the stylish Cagayan de Oro warrior. "If I'm going to face Viloria, so be it. I'm willing to take challenge anytime."

Villanueva, Macahilig Steal The Show

In a stunning display of brute strength and punching power, the undefeated OPBF Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo "Thundervolt" Villanueva and the Philippines top flyweight contender Mhar Jhun 'Astig" Macahilig pounded their respective rivals in spectacular fashion.

Villanueva (22,0, 21KOs) recorded the night's shortest bout as he needed just 77 seconds to knock the lights off Mexico's Diego ‘Tyson’ Ledesma (18-5-2, 12KOs), while Macahilig (14-1, 8KOs) was similarly impressive in stopping Thai Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-11, 9KOs) in the second round.

Like a raging bull, Villanueva attacked Ledesma at will and quickly connected a big left to the chin that sent his foe down at the seat of his pants. The Mexican readily recovered only to be floored again for good by the dreaded power-hitter from Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Earlier, Macahilig landed two big rights to the head of Vorapin and then followed it up with an energy-sapping left uppercut to the ribcage that decked the hapless Thai at 2:01 of round two.

In the other featured bouts of the six-nation card bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, OPBF light flyweight titlist Merlito Sabillo (17-0, 7KOs) kept his clean record with a unanimous decision victory over Indonesian Sofyan Effendi (11-12-2, 9KOs), while Joseph Von Minoza (13-2, 5 KOs) prevailed over South Korean Shin Kim (8-3, 6KOs) also via unanimous verdict. - THE FREEMAN